"The good-natured ribbing of Brooks Laich began the moment he stepped on the ice shortly before Tuesday's 10 a.m. practice at Kettler Capitals Iceplex.

"He bleeds red!" shouted one teammate.

"Game day!" chimed another.

"Tweet that!" yelled a third.

Less than 48 hours after leaving the Verizon Center on crutches and strapped in a left knee brace after taking a big hit from Bruins defenseman Dennis Seidenberg, Laich was on the ice Tuesday looking ready, willing and able to play in tonight's crucial Southeast Division showdown with the Florida Panthers."